This is about your last opportunity to give Sheila your thoughts on the matters exercising our minds at meetings recently. Our Secretary has to present the thoughts of the church members to Nigel Uden by 30^th June.

It seems to come down to the two kinds of assets we have: our people, including all our ideas, our creativity and our faith, and our premises, being an under-used church, the Longhurst Room and Unity Hall, and how these assets are to be used to further Christ’s Kingdom here in Epsom. Perhaps this is too simplistic, but then I’m a simple fellow.

For an idea on how this could work, read the report 

The General Assembly is taking place at the University of Exeter from 7^th – 10^th July. A glance at the agenda shows the inevitable but necessary reports and elections, but also ‘Catch the Vision’ has prominence, and we can expect more to come from this.

Give the delegates your prayers that all their decisions will be for the greater glory of God.

NO PARKING

My attention was drawn last Sunday to a rather tatty poster attached to a lamp-post outside the Conservative Club in Church Street: this gave notice of a large number of streets which are going to be subject to more restrictive parking regulations. (This poster had disappeared by last Thursday!) One proposal that affects us directly is that the 6-day parking ban in Church Street is to be extended to seven days. Unfortunately, we do not have the benefit of a large car park, like the other two churches in Church Street, and it will be another cross to bear. I hope this figures somewhere in Sheila’s report, so the powers-that-be see the strictures under which we have to operate.

When this restriction comes into force, it behoves us to use the parking facilities that we do have as efficiently as possible, and park leaving as little space as possible up to the wall or the next car. It will mean a case of ‘first in, last out’ to an extent, but, remember, we do have the use of ‘The Hermitage’ parking area next door on Sundays.

Mind you, we might notice increased occurrences of unauthorised parking on our forecourt, too. . .

The F&GP considering what to do with the handrails

Were you at Church on Sunday, 18^th June?. If you were I am sure you will agree that we enjoyed a very informative and well thought-out Service arranged by the Worship Group. We are very fortunate at Epsom to have folk so capable. I have heard criticism from time to time when folk other than a Minister conduct our Worship or organise any part of the service, and personally I think that is hard and unfair.. It takes a lot of time, thought and commitment to produce an act of Worship, and we should encourage and support each other and work as a team.

You are all aware I am sure that we may not have the luxury of an organist every Sunday, and we are working hard to find alternative forms of music. The New Testament church began in unity (Acts 4.32 reads "all the believers were in one heart and mind……".); I am sure that some of our members find the change in some services unfamiliar and difficult, but it is not always of ourselves that we should be thinking.

I read in Reform: "the basic hallmark of the Church should be a strong love which not only protects its own but reaches out to those outside. It’s a love that flows from God to us and back to him, but also overflows out from us." We need to be aware that we all need encouragement and love whether we are capable and committed, whether we are always busy or whether we find it hard to take on any responsibilities. Mother Teresa once said to a reporter who wanted to help her in mission, "Go and find someone who nobody loves and love them." Perhaps this could be a beginning to our response to "Catch the Vision for God’s Tomorrow". It is certainly food for thought.

On a very different subject…..Street Parking. Please note that Parking restrictions outside the Church will apply on a Sunday as well as the other days of the week. This is part of some very large changes being brought in by Surrey County Council.

The worst of living is that we're all getting older every day. Nothing particularly profound about that, but it's true all the same. Nevertheless, we're cheered by such remarks as that of Malcolm Muggeridge (the journalist and broadcaster), who once said: 'One of the many pleasures of old age is giving things up.' And, for you ladies, Agatha Christie said this: 'An archaeologist is the best husband any woman can have: the older she gets, the more interested he is in her.'

Of old age, some anonymous soul resignedly wrote:

‘My deafness I endure,
To dentures I'm resigned.
Bifocals I can manage,
But how I miss my mind!’

Or how about this:

Proverbs and psalms may not be one of our virtues, but are any of us old enough to die? Because one of the things about this life is that you can't measure it in years.

The length of life has little to do with the value of life. Alexander the Great died at thirty-three, but not before he had changed the face of the world. John Keats died at twenty-six and Percy Shelley at thirty, but not before they'd left poetry that's still read. Franz Schubert died at thirty-one, Mozart at thirty-six, and Beethoven at fifty-six, who said of himself, after he became totally deaf, 'I shall hear it in heaven'. But all of them gave to the world music that time will never silence.

Duration is no measuring rod for life.

Then, again, anyone is old enough to die who's with God. In the New Testament, there's a passage in 1 John in which the author is thinking of Jesus. John says, 'Abide in him, so that when he is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before his coming'. In other words, if we live with Christ, his coming will be no interruption in life. So long as God is a stranger to us, we're never old enough to die. But when God becomes a friend, we're old enough to die, whether he comes for us at any time of day or night.

Let me end with something which you may find amusing. Someone was surprised to read the announcement of his death in one of the morning papers, only because a confusion of names had occurred. Telephoning a friend he enquired, ‘Did you see the announcement of my death in the newspaper this morning?’ ‘Yes’, was the unexpected answer, ‘where are you speaking from?’

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District Council met in a depressed dockyard town. The United Reformed Church building was vast and it was no coincidence that its Victorian builders made sure the spire was taller than the tower of the parish church. The pews were hard, the décor tired and the place so cold it was formally proposed the meeting be abandoned as a health hazard.

It was the Council’s turn to visit Chatham again a few weeks ago. Members sat on comfortable chairs with the carpet reinforcing the impression of warmth. The congregation’s life was illuminated by stories from the Anglican and URC ministers, both released to focus on the ecumenical church project, and by the resident Youth Worker. They were helped by a Powerpoint presentation with contemporary music and by contributions from the two youngsters’ groups also meeting that evening. The church was growing and growing younger, thinking hard about adding new ways of reaching their community and planning a major buildings development.So what were the key ingredients behind the transformation? They included:

• a willingness to give thanks for historic patterns and leave them behind;

• rethinking how to connect to people under 50;

• offering children’s activities on weekdays not Sundays;

• pooling resources with the parish church ;

• a District Council prepared to think strategically and back a vision with tough decisions about ministerial deployment;

• large helpings of prayer and hard work.

What If . . .?
George Smith

What if the congregation of Epsom United Reformed Church could raise £1000 for an overseas charity called Pump Aid?

What if the members of the Rotary Club of Banstead could also raise £1000 for the same charity?

What if both sums were combined under the care of the Rotary Club of Banstead and a Matching Grant was applied for, from Rotary International? The result: a sum in excess of £7,000 would be available for Pump Aid.

Rotary International apply certain conditions and safeguards when giving matching grants: these include having some local Rotarian oversight over the wells and water projects under construction to make sure the funds supplied to Pump Aid are spent correctly.

I have spent some time talking with Ian Thorpe, the Pump Aid organiser, to ascertain how our money could be spent: this proved difficult as Ian is always away visiting the various project sites. He has suggested the following project plan, which would be carried out in partnership with the Rotary Club of Mutare, Zimbabwe.

Ian suggests we budget for the construction of ten Elephant Pumps in villages, costing £3000, and also to upgrade sanitation facilities in some twenty schools where Elephant Pumps have already been installed, costing some £200 per school making £4000 in total.

There are about 500 children attending each school; it is vital that in addition to having clean drinking water and a school vegetable garden, that they have access to proper toilets and hand-washing facilities to help reduce the transmission of disease.

The Rotary Club of Mutare have indicated that they will be delighted to assist and their members will be able to visit all the twenty schools and ten villages if required to provide a brief written report and photographs as required. It is possible for the project to be implemented within four months from the release of funds.

2006/2007 is my year as President of the Rotary Club of Banstead and thanks to the Minister Pat and the Elders of Epsom U.R.C. "What if?" has become "Let’s make it happen".

Maurice and Joan Young are celebrating their Diamond Wedding on 9^th September and are inviting all friends to an ‘AT HOME’ from 4 p.m. onwards and "would be so delighted" if friends from Epsom could join them at this time. There will be a marquee in the garden and a caterer for the food.

If you would like to attend, please contact Alan Wood for details.

Felpham is about 55 miles away from Epsom down the A24 and should take around 1½ hours’ travel time.

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Will I sound like one of the "Grumpy Old Women" if I tell you about the disappointment I had while on my brief stay in Edinburgh? I opened the drawer of the bedside table in my hotel room to look for the Gideon Bible, and what did I find? A Thompson Telephone Directory!

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As most of you will have seen, we now have the facility to project videos and photographs at church, as shown here.  Thanks to a bequest from Win Cary to the church "for educational purposes", we now have the screen installed and have purchased a suitable data projector.

 We will shortly have a lap-top computer for church use, which will include the showing of videos and pictures, etc., to enhance and augment services.

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Now that the corner of the church in front of the crèche is approaching completion, the Elders feel that it is time to decide upon its name and to give it an identity. You have had the opportunity to put your suggestions forward, so now it is time to cast your vote.

One suggestion, from one of our younger people, was actually a non-suggestion – "Don’t call it a Zone" – and perhaps you will heed the plea in your selection; there are several suggestions that don’t incorporate ‘Zone’, but this suggestion cannot figure in our list.

Please make your choice, and tear out the voting slip placed in the centre of this magazine and place it in the box that – hopefully – will be placed on the table in the foyer.

The Choices:

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This magnificent title describes the position in the URC Southern Province Synod, now occupied by Nick White, who has recently taken on the job. He has written to all Secretaries introducing himself and giving a brief CV.

He said, ‘I look forward to working alongside you in our mission and ministry among children and young people. Please do contact me if I can be of assistance or if you have experience or insights to share which might be of value in my new role.’

Nick White’s contact details:

12 Blenheim Avenue, Chatham, Kent. ME4 6UU
Tel: 01634 400515 Fax: 07092 878802

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Our younger members may like to know about this festival, which takes place at the Hook Road Arena on 22^nd July from 12:00 to 21:00. Tickets are £5 in advance (ticket information and other details from 01372-732000) or £7 at the gate.

For more details, visit www.myspace.com/kt17magazine or www.liveanddirect.org.uk/festival.htm

This festival is sponsored by many organisations including Epsom and Ewell Borough Council and SCC Youth Development Service.

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Copy for the next issue should be with the Editor by 23rd July for publication on 30th July 2006.  

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